How It Happened
On the verge of forcing a fifth set, Rhode Island was unable to convert three set points in the fourth set as it fell at Duquesne, 3-1 Friday. The host Dukes won the match 25-19, 20-25, 25-15, 26-24.

Set One – Duquesne 25, Rhode Island 19
Duquesne used several runs to build and maintain its lead throughout the opening set. Leading 11-8, the Dukes ran off six consecutive points that included three kills from Carsyn Henschen and two from Ariel Helm to create a nine-point lead at 17-8. A pair of Aerin Bowman kills sandwiched around an Emma Vente ace slowed the momentum briefly, but a 3-1 Duke spurt reestablished control for the hosts. Rhody managed a late 5-1 run to pull within five points, but it was too little too late as Duquesne took the opener.

Set Two – Rhode Island 25, Duquesne 20
Things didn't look good in the early part of the second set, as Duquesne swarmed the Rams early to the tune of a 9-2 start. Rhody steadily chipped away, but still found itself down 20-16 following a late service ace. However, URI ended the set on a 9-0 run, the final eight points of which were served by Hope Passerello. Gabrielle Shilling had three blocks and Passerello had two aces during the stretch, the second of which ended the set and tied the match.

Set Three – Duquesne 25, Rhode Island 15
The third set featured runs from both sides early, as Duquesne scored the first four points and Rhody took the next three. The back-and-forth action led to URI getting within 9-7 following a Madi Disu kill. However, the Dukes established control with a 9-1 run that made the score 18-8. The lead never got below six, and Duquesne used a 4-0 run to cap the set.

Set Four – Duquesne 26, Rhode Island 24
Rhode Island appeared on its way to forcing a fifth set, jumping out to a 15-9 lead. Madi Disu, Samantha Blahut and Gabrielle Shilling each had two kills to help a balanced attack for the Rams. It wasn't meant to be, as Duquesne used a 6-2 run to close the gap to two points. A 3-0 spurt that included kills from Morgan Gish, Jordan Robertson and Hanna Wilson tied the score at 18-18. Despite the rally, URI again appeared in control and had three set points at 24-21 after an Aerin Bowman kill. Duquesne didn't allow it to happen, scoring the final five points of the night to end the match. Ariel Helm had three straight kills to start the run, then teamed with Morgan Gish on a block to create match point. An ace by Camille Spencer brought about a surprising end to the night.

Inside the Box Score

• Sophomore Aerin Bowman continued her strong play of late, recording 12 kills with just two attack errors.
• She has 23 kills and five errors over her last two matches. Her .385 attack percentage Friday was her highest of the season.
• Freshman Madi Disu led the Rams with 15 kills and added six digs.
• Sophomore Hope Passerello had a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs.
• Junior Hannah Blaney had 18 digs and eight assists.
• She now has 306 digs for the year, her second straight season topping 300.
• Rhode Island dropped its 10th consecutive match, which ties the program record.

What's Next
Rhode Island and Duquesne play again Saturday at 3:30 p.m.